CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: STANDING UP FOR HER

"President Hawthorne..."

"President Hawthorne..."

The crowd parted from the outside, creating a path.

Wyatt Hawthorne, dressed in a black suit, walked in, his gaze sliding past Serena Sinclair’s pale face.

It landed on Beatrice Sutton’s face, "Mrs. Lockwood, what guidance do you have?"

Mrs. Lockwood?

From the elite family?

Then Serena Sinclair...

The young boss stood tall, with a strong aura.

The people surrounding him were either employees or visitors, glancing at each other with countless guesses in their eyes.

Yet not a single person dared to make a sound.

In the stillness, Beatrice Sutton’s mind went blank for a moment.

She knew Wyatt Hawthorne, after all, the Hawthorne Family’s status in Aethelgard was known to everyone.

In his youth, his arrogance was unmatched, and his scandalous deeds were famous among the elite.

As an adult, he took over Hawthorne Corporation and soared to great heights.

His flamboyance was noteworthy.

His excellence was even more noteworthy.

A true Crown Prince of the Capital Elite.

But Beatrice Sutton never expected Wyatt Hawthorne to know her.

She had decided that today’s confrontation would be public and escalate the situation, ensuring Serena Sinclair lost her job at The Lockwood Group and couldn’t survive in Aethelgard.

Yet Beatrice Sutton hadn’t accounted for Wyatt Hawthorne’s appearance.

The Lockwood Family couldn’t afford to offend the Hawthorne Family.

She couldn’t afford to offend Wyatt Hawthorne either.

Even if she successfully drove Serena Sinclair out of Aethelgard, what if Wyatt Hawthorne remembered the chaos she created at The Lockwood Group and later caused trouble for Adrian Lockwood and The Lockwood Group?

That would truly be a case of stealing chickens but losing the rice.

In a flash, Beatrice Sutton changed her expression to a smile, "Young Master Hawthorne, it’s just a family matter..."

"Since it’s a family matter, it should be handled at home. Bringing it to me, is that Mrs. Lockwood’s intention, or President Lockwood’s?"

???

Fearing what might happen.

Beatrice Sutton waved her hands repeatedly, "No, no. President Hawthorne, I..."

Her gaze swept over Serena Sinclair, and Beatrice Sutton made up her mind, "President Hawthorne, I actually came today to remind your company’s HR department. This Serena Sinclair, she..."

"Mrs. Lockwood!"

Wyatt Hawthorne interrupted coldly, "Are the employees of The Lockwood Group’s HR department just here to collect salaries without doing work? Or does the lady believe that living a few more decades gives you the right to point fingers at The Lockwood Group?"

"Young Master Hawthorne, you..."

She had thought that learning about Serena Sinclair’s disgraceful family background, even if Wyatt didn’t immediately fire her, he would at least have the HR department investigate thoroughly in front of so many employees and visitors.

Unexpectedly, before she even finished speaking, Wyatt had already shut her down.

Not only did he call her old.

He also accused her of meddling incompetently.

Beatrice Sutton was shocked.

Then she saw Wyatt turn back to the receptionist, "Did you call the police?"

"Yes, yes..."

The receptionist nodded, "Legal Affairs has been notified."

As he turned back, he signaled to several lawyers standing just outside the crowd.

Wyatt Hawthorne’s face darkened, "When an employee initiates legal assistance, your first reaction isn’t to immediately start working, but to stand around watching the spectacle?"

"President Hawthorne, we..."

"President Hawthorne..."

Two lawyers hurried to explain, Wyatt looked at the receptionist, "Get Quentin Xavier over here!"

Quentin Xavier, Director of Legal Affairs at The Hawthorne Group.

Also Wyatt Hawthorne’s personal lawyer.

Quentin Xavier arrived at the same time as the police.

Quentin Xavier was getting the details from his two subordinates and the receptionist who witnessed the entire scene.

Meanwhile, the police had already recorded Serena Sinclair’s statement and retrieved the lobby’s surveillance footage.

"Beatrice Sutton, right?"

The officer with a stern expression pointed to the police car parked below the steps outside, "You are causing trouble in a public place and spreading rumors and defamation. Please come to the precinct for an investigation!"

???

Beatrice Sutton was stunned, "I didn’t... Serena, you shameless bitch, I won’t let you get away with this!"

Restrained by two officers, Beatrice Sutton was taken away, still shouting as she sat in the police car.

The crowd dispersed, heads lowered.

Wyatt Hawthorne coldly spoke up, "Stop!"

The voice wasn’t loud, but it carried incredible authority.

The dispersed crowd froze in place.

Wyatt Hawthorne glanced around, looking at the visitors with guest passes hanging from their necks, "Non-employees proceed..."

Some headed outside.

Some walked toward the elevator.

The lobby’s population halved.

Wyatt Hawthorne’s gaze first fell on the faces of the two people from Legal Affairs, "During work hours, an employee requested legal assistance, and you were just watching the spectacle..."

"President Hawthorne, I won’t dare do this again!"

"President Hawthorne, I just arrived after receiving the call, and coming out, I saw you talking to the lady. I... I was wrong, President Hawthorne, please give me another chance, I promise it won’t happen again!"

Two people.

Two statements.

Clearly, one had got the news early and was watching the spectacle, while the other hadn’t had time to join in.

Wyatt Hawthorne turned to Quentin Xavier, "You know what to do?"

Quentin Xavier nodded, "Hood, you’re fired! Head to HR to complete the process. ... Larkin, let this be a lesson!"

"Director Xavier, President Hawthorne..."

"Thank you, boss, thank you, President Hawthorne!"

One was dragged away by the security.

One thanked repeatedly, standing by with his head lowered.

Quentin Xavier turned to Serena Sinclair, "Ms. Sinclair, please come this way..."

The Hawthorne Corporation’s Legal Affairs department not only handled external and internal company matters but also provided legal assistance to all company employees.

As long as an employee applied, whether it be for criminal acts or minor issues like domestic violence or drunk driving, there was no exception.

This was one of the internal benefits for employees of The Hawthorne Group.

Prompted by Snow’s reminder, Serena Sinclair had carefully reviewed the employee handbook on the company forum.

She hadn’t expected to use it today.

Looking back, she only saw Wyatt Hawthorne’s silhouette.

Serena Sinclair withdrew her gaze, turned, and followed Quentin Xavier upstairs to the Legal Affairs department.

In the lobby, Wyatt Hawthorne looked at the remaining dozen people.

"Each one of you is either from top universities like 985 or 211 or a standout in your respective fields."

"Before hiring, HR conducted detailed background checks on each of you, including contacting previous companies. I can responsibly say that anyone who joins The Lockwood Group doesn’t have a blemish."

"Use your brains when watching a spectacle. Also..."

His gaze lightly swept over the anxious faces, Wyatt Hawthorne spoke deeply, "Give me a valid reason why you are here at this time."

"President Hawthorne, I’m from the sales department and had a visitor at ten. I came down to greet him, he’s just gone upstairs..."

"President Hawthorne, I was on leave, just arrived..."

"I came down to pick up a takeaway..."

Some could provide a reason.

Most couldn’t, simply having come after hearing the news to watch the spectacle.

Unexpectedly, they were caught red-handed by their boss.

"Those with valid reasons, go and register at the reception, each will have two days’ performance deducted!"

"Those without valid reasons, go back to your department and find your respective leaders. ... You’re fired!"

Wyatt Hawthorne said coldly, turning and walking toward the elevator.

The lobby fell silent.

"Why does it feel like President Hawthorne is backing Serena Sinclair?"

"What if you were the one being troubled today? Wouldn’t you want the boss to support you like he did just now?"

"..."

"I’ve long disliked those people in the Legal Affairs department, acting high and mighty! Today, I finally got some satisfaction!"

"..."

In the Legal Affairs department meeting room, Serena Sinclair had just made her request for assistance.

Her phone rang.

Adrian Lockwood was calling.